10 Anachronisms in Great Sci-Fi Movies

Science fiction gets some things about the future amazingly right. But nobody's perfect. Even great sci-fi flicks include feature that make you say, "No way they're still using that technology is that year."

Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner (1982)

Set in: 2019Problem: Dash-mounted videophones but no mobile phones

The cardinal rule of sci-fi movie fandom is that you don’t say anything bad about Blade Runner. The twisty plot about super-powerful human clones and the understated performance by Harrison Ford are top notch. The movie predicted genome sequencing, pervasive advertising, and something like Skype for videoconferencing. The glaring problem is the use of stationary “videophones” in cars and in an apartment. It’s not 2019 yet, but even now telepresence suites by companies like Cisco have ceded the field to iPad apps like FaceTime. Videoconferencing is a much more valuable tool when it is mobile and instant.

Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

Set in: 2021 Problem: 320-GB human brain used to transport data

In this dark tale of a future dystopian society, so-called “data couriers” transport sensitive information using their brains. While that might explain the lethargic surfer-dude persona of Keanu Reeves as the protagonist, the idea now seems ridiculous. Someday, we may well use injectable electronics to augment our anatomy and even enhance intelligence with brain implants. But there’s no need to use a cranium for secure storage. Encryption technology has advanced so far that we now have Bitcoins that work as an impenetrable digital currency.